One of the most interesting parts of observing junior golf tournaments — particularly ones featuring younger kids — is watching the interaction of the youngsters with their parents.
On display are showing of support, some laughs, and even occasional tenderness that can warm the heart.
It reinforces that golf can be, and often is, a family affair.
That’s part of the attractiveness of a new Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado event that will make its debut this weekend.
The JGAC Parent/Child Tournaments will be held Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 28-29) at Indian Tree Golf Club in Arvada. Kids 13 and under will play with their parents, step-parents or grandparents on Saturday, while Sunday will be the day for 14-18 year-olds and their parents/grandparents.
There has been a CGA Parent/Child Championship (earlier known as the Father/Son) since 1983, but most of the “children” in that event are college age or older. The JGAC Parent/Child will focus on a younger demographic.
“We had JGAC members express interest in the CGA Parent/Child, but the location was not as convenient and the format was not as kid- and family-friendly as this will be,” Ashley Barnhart, the CGA’s manager of junior competitions, said via email on Monday. “We also know there are a few other parent-child events in the region (US Kids, City of Aurora, etc.) that are well-received. We did some informal research and determined that we would have good turnout, so decided to create something for young players to play with their parents. Hopefully it will encourage the importance of golf as a family experience!”
Indeed, the sign-up for the event was impressive, with 164 golfers registered (70 for Saturday and 94 for Sunday). There will be separate divisions for JGAC members age 10 and under, 11-13 and 14-18.
Several families will take it a step beyond a single team entry by signing up two parent/child teams. That includes JGAC male player of the year Davis Bryant and mom Julie, who works for The First Tee of Green Valley Ranch and for the CoBank Colorado Open Championships at GVR. And 2017 Colorado Junior Match Play girls winner Emma Bryant will team up with dad Matt, the PGA general manager at GVR.
In the case of other PGA professionals competing with their kids, Timbre Shehee will pair up with dad Tray, an instructor at Ute Creek, on Saturday. And 2017 U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier TJ Shehee will compete with mom Terra, head professional at Boulder Country Club, on Sunday.
Among the JGAC major winners participating, besides Davis and Emma Bryant, is 2016 JGAC Tour Championship victor Charlotte Hillary (with dad Jim).
Tournaments each day will feature six holes each of best ball, alternate shot and scramble).
